<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:107%">Brent crude futures for May hit $71.38 a barrel in early Asian trade <span style="background-color:#ffffff">— </span>the highest since January 8, 2020<span style="background-color:#ffffff">—</span>and were at $71.11 a barrel by 0255 GMT, up $1.75, or 2.5%.</span></p>
